Friday, March 28, 2014

Chances
are good that if you’re here, you’ve signed up for the Beast. That’s awesome,
and really, we’re so proud of you. But have you taken the next step? We have
trainers and fitness gurus coming in and giving you training tips, and we’re
quickly gaining steam until September 6. Next week will mark five months until
we run on the beach! That’s sick, right? It’s not as sick as you will be if you
don’t start training. If you’re thinking “Yeah, but I have a good reason for
not training yet,” we’ve got you covered. We’re whipping out our BS meter to
debunk some of these excuses. We’ll take the SANDY B**CHES route (who claim
their team name is actually Sandy Beaches), and say that “BS” stands for “Beast
Silliness.” The higher the rating out of 10, the more your excuse doesn’t hold
water. Let’s get started.

Excuse 1: Exercise is boring.

This isn't scenery. Get outside.

BS Meter: 7/10. If you just run on a treadmill and stare at
a blank wall, of course it’s going to be boring. But with the weather warming
up, there’s no reason you can’t be outside running. If you don’t want to run,
play some sports. Or roller blade. Dance. Bike. Swim. Do something that’s going
to push you while you’re having fun. Exercise is boring is no excuse. Frankly,
your excuses are boring. Let’s see what’s next…

Excuse 2: I’ve tried exercising before and I didn’t like it.

There's a small story about broccoli. Read it!

BS Meter: 5/10. Let me tell you the story of a little Beast.
When I – er, my friend – was just a young Beast, I – he – tried broccoli. Beasts
aren’t supposed to like broccoli, right? We’re supposed to like violence and
gore, not green vegetables. So this little beast didn’t like broccoli. But when
I grew up to be a bigger beast, I tried broccoli again and I loved it! Now
everything I do involves the color green. I help the Barber National Institute,
whose colors are green, and I show up at the Barber Beast on the Bay because
its color is green. I owe it all to broccoli.

Don’t believe my story? That’s because that story was a pile
of garbage and so is your excuse.

Excuse 3: I’m too tired.

BS Meter: 6/10. Long hours, early mornings, not enough
coffee. Whatever the reason, you’re feeling tired and you don’t want to do
anything. What’s going to happen if you feel that way on September 6? Nothing
good, that’s for sure. There are many ways to gain energy. Pre-workouts are
one, though I don’t recommend those. I recommend just sucking it up and getting
started. Even getting a light workout going will give you more energy to do
something more challenging, and you’ll even have energy to spare for after you’re
done working out.

Excuse 4: I don’t feel like it.

BS Meter: 9/10. Did you feel like waking up early to go to
work? Did you feel like working? Did you feel like doing anything but lying in
your nice, warm bed? Maybe, maybe not, but you still got up and were productive
today. Make working out something fun that you “have” to do. If it’s a part of
your routine, it will be easy to, as Nike says, “Just do it.”

You're not Bruno Mars. Even if "Today [you] don't feel like doing anything," you should still do it.

Excuse 5: I don’t have time.

BS Meter: 10/10. If you’re married, think back to when you
were dating. If you’re single, think back to last week. Have you ever said or heard
“I just don’t have time for a boyfriend/girlfriend right now.” Do you know what
that really meant? It likely meant “I’m just not interested in you so I’m
making something up.” You’re treating exercise like that person you weren’t
interested in. “Oh, I’m sorry, treadmill. I just don’t have time for you. It’s
not you; it’s me.” Really? That’s what we’re going with? People make time for
the things they want. If you want to succeed on September 6 bad enough, you’ll
make the time needed to cross the finish line.

Friday, March 21, 2014

Every
accomplishment begins with the decision to try. Are you already preparing for
the Beast on the Bay 2014? Have you marked your calendars for September 6 as
the day you cash in on your decision to try? We are here to help you plan,
train, and execute your goal in beating the Beast. Let us introduce ourselves:
We are Chad and Jennifer Silber of 3 RING BOX, located on 8348 Edinboro Road,
Erie, PA 16509. Over the next several months, we will be sharing our thoughts about everything from gear,
nutrition/hydration, physical prep and even how to conquer certain obstacles in
the most safe/efficient manner possible. So stay tuned each week and if you
want the most effective training in order to get you ready to take on the
Beast.

Our first experiences were quite a shock.

Our background with obstacle racing/extreme racing started in 2011 when
we signed up for a Tough Mudder in Attica, Indiana. We are both competitive by
nature, as we are both former collegiate athletes. We’re also, in more ways
than one, just nuts! That year we ran the Ruckus in Washington County, PA in
order to get a taste of what obstacle racing was all about. As we anticipated,
after the Ruckus, we were hooked and ready for the Mudder in November. What we
did not anticipate was going from 90+ degree weather at the Ruckus to 30 degree
weather at the Mudder…SHOCKER!!! So to date we have ran a total of 6 Tough
Mudders, World’s Toughest Mudder (24 hours, 50 miles & 198 obstacles),
Ruckus, Mud on the Mountatin, Warrior Dash, and OilCreek 50K.

Always give 100% -- even in ice!

The training and prep for each consists of running, strength training
and body weight exercises (pull-ups, push-ups, burpees, hand-stand push-ups,
air squats, etc.) The key is being comfortable in your own body and being able
to be consistently active for 3-4 hours. The training aspect is key, and we
have a great place to do that at 3 RING BOX. Also, the way a person eats will reflect
how they do in the challenge. It’s like the old adage says: Garbage in/garbage
out, and it applies here 100%. Carbs, carbs, and carbs. Energy is the key for
these events and depleting oneself of the energy needed will only result in the
demise of the individual. The training will offset the carb intake, so a person
doesn’t need to worry about gaining weight. If the training is adhered to and
given 100% effort, you will not only become stronger, but also achieve the
desired results.

We are excited about this year’s Beast on the Bay. It will be bigger
and better and more challenging all around. We are thrilled to be part of the focus
group for the obstacle course and to offer the necessary training ground at 3
RING BOX. The fence rider or someone not sure about taking part needs to
consider doing something they never thought they could do. Sign up and print
your confirmation and put it on your bathroom mirror, or your refrigerator, or on
your computer at work -- wherever you will see it, you’ll see it all day and
every day until September 6. Then get out and start training -- do something
that you never thought you could do, that your family and friends also thought
you would never do, and go and prove them wrong. The feeling you will have when
you cross that finish line compares to no other.

If you're on the fence about participating, just take the leap. You'll be glad you did.

For the rookie -- and we all were one at one point in time -- do not
ignore the training. Don’t come in cold turkey and think that 10 miles and 25
obstacles is going to be a cake walk. Yeah, you may be able to do it, but your
recovery will be longer and your chance for injury will be higher. Do yourself a
favor and get yourself training at a place where you will be able to practice
on obstacles, get stronger, and increase your overall endurance and motor –
here’s a plug for 3 RING BOX.

In the end, everyone will feel something different at the finish. For
me, it’s about watching those on the team, especially the rookies, cross the
finish line and then come up to me and ask when the next race is. There is an
overwhelming feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction that is only felt by
those who take the chance and try. You can’t replicate the feeling. It’s like
no other.

Friday, March 14, 2014

Here’s a joke for you: Two men walk into a bar. It’s a busy
night, and there’s only one table left. One man calls ahead for the table and
gets there before the second man. The second man walks in late and asks for the
table. They give the table to the second man who came in late. You might be
asking yourself, “Where’s the joke?” And the answer to that is there’s nothing funny
about rewarding those who come in late. And, for that matter, there’s nothing
funny about a man having to enjoy a beverage while sitting on a dirty bar
floor. The only joke is that the man who came in late got the table, am I
right? What a disgrace!

Why did no one laugh? Hello? Is this thing on?

So I’m not a comedian. I’ll stick to my day job of being a
mascot for the Barber Beast on the Bay, I know. The point is that we want to
reward those who are registering early for the Beast on the Bay. In the same
way a participant who crosses the finish lines runs through a ribbon and is
rewarded with cheers, we rewarded our first registrants with the Early Bird
discount of 50% off the full price of Barber Beast registration.

While the percentage off will never be higher than what the
Early Bird registration offered, we do have a tiered monthly system that will
continue to reward those who sign up early. From now until March 31,
registration for the Beast will be 40% off the original price. After that, the schedule
is as follows:

35% off - during April

30% off - during May

25% off - during June

20% off - during July

Regular price beginning Aug. 1 through Sept. 4

Late registration $150 on Sept. 5 & 6

This is how we feel about it, and we're sure you'll feel that way, too!

That means no more wondering if the price you got is the
best one that’s going to be available (because it is). That means no waiting
for sporadic promotions based on holidays, sunny days, or the-Beast-is-bored
days. What you see is what you get, and the sooner you see it, the better deal
you’ll get.

If you or someone you know hasn’t signed up yet, now would
be the time to do it! If you have signed up, take advantage of some of the
offerings we have. On our Facebook page, we’re offering free signage and
graphics that you can use to tag yourself in, recruit members, or smack talk
other teams with. We offer a community of 1,600 people to talk and trade
training tips with. What are you waiting for? The Price is Right, so come on
down!

Friday, March 7, 2014

Meet Eric Ellis. His middle name is Xtreme,
with an “X.” Eric Ellis once fought Superman. The loser had to wear his
underwear on the outside of his pants. He ran last year’s Barber Beast in three
seconds, and that’s only because he tripped at the starting line.

OK, so none of these facts are true.
But the North East native has the attitude and experience that can help you as
you’re training for the Beast. Ellis has seen many different courses, and he
has the insight and know-how to help. He has also been instrumental in helping
make the Beast better and badder, which is why I took the time out of my busy
beastly schedule to talk with him.

Beast: What's your background in
races similar to the Barber Beast on the Bay? How many have you participated
in, finished, etc.?

Ellis: I have been racing since
2000. I saw a 5k race registration driving through Girard one day and I just
decided to stop and sign up and I’ve been hooked ever since.I’ve always been an athlete and I do a lot of
CrossFit, so racing and doing these kinds of events just seemed natural to
me.I’ve done Tough Mudder, Three Mile
Isle, 5ks, half marathons, marathons and triathlons.

Beast: What kind of preparation do
you personally put into each one? In terms of hours spent, diet changes,
changes in exercise, etc.?

Ellis: Depends on the event. For the
Beast I’ll get my body ready for different kinds of terrain, so I’ll run at
Frontier Park and Asbury Woods, I’ll hit the beach and run in the sand, and I’ll
go to 3 Ring Box to use their obstacles so my body is prepared for the
different aspects of the course.I try
and live a certain lifestyle incorporating healthy eating and exercise into my
life every day, so I really just have to step it up a bit to prepare for a
specific event.

I’ll also think about what I want to have on the course in terms of
nutrition.Whatever you are going to eat
on the course, train with it so your body is used to it.Otherwise I’ve seen friends get sick while
doing a race because their bodies couldn’t handle something new.

Beast: Could you tell me about your
best experience on a course and your worst experience on one?

Ellis:Best Experience: I completed
half Iron Man in less than 6 1/2 hours. It was something I really wanted to
accomplish.I set a goal and just worked
for it.I also set a personal record at the
2013 Presque Isle Marathon.That was a big
deal too.

Worst Experience: 5k race. I was in the best shape of my life, really
conditioned for it and I wanted to complete in 20 minutes or less. I ran it in
20:04.That was devastating.

Beast: Let's talk last year's Barber
Beast on the Bay. What were your thoughts on it, both good and bad?

Ellis: I loved
it. It was competitive.To run in the
sand that long, you need to be really strong-willed to accomplish that.I wish the obstacles were a little more
challenging, but I liked the running, I loved the challenge of doing all the
obstacles, running the distance, tackling the hill at the end.I think we all gave some pretty good feedback
on the survey, so I hope we will see some more challenging obstacles this year.

Beast: What are your thoughts on
this year's Barber Beast on the Bay from what you know so far? If you were
trying to convince someone who was on the fence about it, what would you personally
say to them?

Ellis: A great team of people has been
assembled to take the survey results and our experiences from doing these kinds
of events can help transform this into an even better event.Hopefully you will see better obstacles, less
sand.It’s going to be switched up…our own Erie
Tough Mudder without the mud in most cases.It’s in our backyard, supporting a great local organization, so try
it.Then you can expand your horizons by
doing other events, but this will be well worth the price of admission to come
do the Beast.

Beast: For those first timers out
there who have decided to take on the Beast -- what tips do you have? What are
the essential things to do and what shouldn't they do as they get ready to
prepare?

Ellis: Start
training now by running on different terrains, and do sit ups and pushups
getting your body used to the movements you will use on the course.Challenge yourself to get better each time
you train.Don’t go crazy lifting heavy
weights because you won’t be doing that. You will be climbing, crawling and
running, so be ready for that.Stay
injury free by stretching and building gradually on your training -- gradually
increasing distance and endurance.

80% of feeling good is diet; the other
20% is exercise.You will perform better
if you are putting good things in your body.

Beast: You put all that hard work into getting ready for
something, and then you participate in it. For you and for everyone else, what
is it going to feel like crossing that finish line come September 6?

Ellis: A sense
of accomplishment. You get out what you put in. The harder you train, the
better you feel about what you’ve done.But no matter what, just the fact that you tried, you have succeeded so
you can’t be discouraged by your time or if you didn’t do an obstacle.You did something for yourself.